RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Most women with MS are diagnosed during their reproductive ages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between fertility, pregnancy, and MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 110 women suffering from MS with a history of pregnancy (between 2007 and 2017 years) in Isfahan, Iran. Samples were selected in a census model. Women completed a researcher-constructed questionnaire by telephone. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: demographic information, MS and its symptoms and treatment, and reproductive system and the history of pregnancy associated with MS. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 using Chi-square, ANOVA, and t-test. RESULTS: The mean age of women was 32.4 years. In this population, the average number of pregnancies was 1.61, the number of deliveries was 1.35, the number of abortions was 0.24, the history of ectopic pregnancy was 0.01, the number of alive children was 1.36, and the number of dead children was 0.01. The average time of the last MS attack before the pregnancy was 21.36 months. Fatigue (24.5%) was the most common symptom exacerbated during pregnancy. MS symptoms improved in 55.0% of women in the second trimester. CONCLUSIONS: MS had no effect on the pregnancy status, such as the number of abortions, ectopic pregnancy, alive and dead children, and the duration of pregnancy. Symptoms of the disease improved during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnancy has a protective role against MS.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and degenerating disease which involves central nervous system. Environmental risk factors have a key role in MS susceptibility. Here we aim to investigate different risk factors effect on MS susceptibility in a large population of MS patients in Isfahan, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional hospital-based study, which was conducted on a large group of MS patients registered in Kashani hospital and a control group from normal healthy population. Demographic data, age at onset of the disease, history of viral infections, vaccination, history of trauma to head, recent stressful events, alimentation, familial history, method of delivery (caesarean section, normal vaginal delivery), disability score and history of smoking were gathered using a designed questionnaire. RESULTS: Totally 536 MS patient with the mean age of 34.37 ± 9.22 and 399 individuals from healthy population with the mean age of 32.53 ± 9.91 were recruited. Significant difference in history of measles infection (control = 15.5%, case = 22.4%, P = 0.009), consumption of dairy products (case = 56.6%, control = 67.5%, P = 0.01) and major stressful life events (case = 62.2%, control = 52.7%, P < 0.05) between these two groups were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: A significant relation between stress, history of infection and milk consumption was reached that highlights the importance of environmental risk factors in MS pathogenesis.